Venice and China in the Time of Marco Polo

Venice and China in the Time of Marco Polo
#Exhibitions
Jacopo de' Barbari, Venetie MD, 1500, Perspective plan of the city of Venice

Contrary to popular belief, 700 years ago, when Marco Polo left Venice and embarked on his journey to China across Eurasia, he was not the only one to travel between the two continents. Already at that time, merchants, envoys, pilgrims and artists moved back and forth along the ancient Silk Road. Thanks to these men, and to the important communication routes, the first contacts between East and West began to promote international trade, transmit cultural ideas and push the development of human civilization. It was only the beginning of a long process that would lead to modern globalization. On display, many documents and artifacts from museums in Italy and China reconstruct the era of Marco Polo: the lively maritime trade of Venice, the robust trade networks under the aegis of the Mongol Khanates and the ancient cities of Hangzhou and Quanzhou.

Viola Canova - © 2024 ARTE.it for Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai